I know this seems like such an embarrassing thing to say, but here's the deal: Everyone has to start somewhere. We can't all be Isabell Werth or Steffen Peters. Dressage Today had a great article in the February 2012 issue entitled, "The Beauty of Being a Beginner." Cindy Sydnor, the author, writes (pg. 70), "Being a beginner is great. Your attitude is, 'I'm here. I want to learn to ride. Please teach me.' [ ...] When a student keeps trying not to be a beginner and envisions her path to be a predictable staircase that she wants to climb in yearly intervals, learning can actually come to a grinding halt. [...] Enjoy the beginning because it is actually what you will need the most until the very end. Even Einstein was a beginner once."

So you see, I am not embarrassed to be a beginner. In fact, I know that as a beginner I am learning mountains of things that are crucial to know before moving on. If I try and skip these first steps, I'll never really know why horses soften or why they won't. Bringing along my own, two very different boys, is providing me with a wonderful education that I would never get had I bought a schoolmaster or a horse already on his way. As I write I am basking in the glow of a fabulous ride on Sydney. I worked and worked on getting a stretch over the topline and was rewarded with some wonderfully relaxed, stretchy strides. He felt it, I felt it, we both took deep sighs of ooooohhhh. I asked correctly, after months of trial and error, and he found the right answer. We did that together. Here's to beginners!

There is a reason for this talk about beginners. My certificate from the California Dressage Society finally arrived. I know it's not a big deal, but I really appreciate the recognition. To me, the introductory certificate says, You braved the showing world as a beginner and you achieved something. Be proud! The certificate is earned by CDS members who achieve scores of 60% or better at Introductory C Level or above in a single show season (not to exceed 4 scores). The scores must come from a CDS rated show. Once you earn 5 or more scores in a single show season, you earn a plate. That's my goal for 2012. I already have one score on the books and am looking for 4 more. Here's the certificate.

And here's what I did with it. The three ribbons are from the three shows where I earned the necessary scores (60.500%, 62.000%, and 65.500%).

Woo for beginners! Karen I love reading about your insights, thank you for this one especially. I get stuck on that yearly step plan of "I must move up next season.. don't want to get left behind.." This year I am getting a wonderful gift of taking baby horse to her first shows, and we are most likely giving my older mare a year off, so I won't be moving to 1st level. I was very upset at first, just like that article, I thought I had to reach a point each year, and I was getting frusterated. Taking the time to make my new dressage partner fabulous, brave and strong is well worth taking time away from those steps (and since I have sucky release with my arms, probably good for me anyhow).

I really like your frame job! You worked really hard for that award, and look how it paid off, not just in the award. You and your horses are communicating better, you and they seem happier, and you are having successes in your daily rides. I can't think of a better award than that. Three cheers for beginners!

Take care & happy riding!

Reply

Karen

2/10/2012 10:26:00 am

Thank you, Kendal! I think you give me too much credit though. :0) I am not sure if I am insightful, or just a whiner!

I will say that there is a lot pressure to move up. Whether it is self-imposed or not, I am not sure. It's tough being an AA still riding Introductory. I keep reminding myself that just last year Intro C was actually (or nearly) T1 so I guess I have moved up!

I am really glad there are other riders who are sharing the same path that I am traveling. It's comforting to know that I am not alone. Thank you for sharing your own story. Good luck with your own Baby.

I too am a beginner - last year I showed twice at Intro B - on my greenie mare...and that is what we will start with this year.

I watch my much more seasoned than I daughter ride my mare and know that she could be so much further along with another rider. But I am ok with that - like others have said...our horses do not have a goal. It is all about the journey :)

Reply

Karen

2/10/2012 10:28:29 am

Kelly, much like I said to Kendal, it's comforting knowing there are others on this path. And you are absolutely right about the horses not having a goal. I agree 100% that it is about our journey. I am enjoying the view and taking the time to smell the roses as well. :0) Have a great show season!

Karen

Reply

Val

2/10/2012 12:40:51 pm

Enjoy the journey, because that is really what it is all about. You come from a long list of endurance accomplishments. All of your dressage accomplishments will add feathers to your cap!

Reply

Karen

2/10/2012 01:49:54 pm

Thanks, Val. I am not sure how long the endurance list is, but I smile over any accomplishment, big or small. I'm sort of goal driven. :0)

Congratulations! So wonderful to be recognized for taking a chance and getting out there. Great motivation to keep going and keep learning. I totally feel you that especially when you're a beginner, getting the recognition helps fuel the passion. The old joke is that we spend thousands of dollars to get some 10-cent ribbons, but you and I know that we put in the sweat and money equity for the experience. Good for you!

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About the Writer & Rider

I am a lifetime rider. I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010.​Welcome to my dressage journey.

About Speedy G

Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. We're currently schooling Third Level in preparation for the 2019 show season. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.

August 2018

About Izzy

Izzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are schooling the dressage basics. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.